Alumni Spotlight - Steven Komives '65

Celebrating the achievements and contributions of its alumni is a tradition that Elyria Catholic High School holds dear. Among its graduates, Steven Komives from the Class of 1965 stands out as a remarkable individual who has led a life filled with spiritual exploration, dedicated service to his country, and a fulfilling career in technology. Moreover, Steven continues to impact his alma mater through his generosity, utilizing his Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) that benefit the school while minimizing his tax burden and maximizing the potential of his charitable impact.

A Spiritual Journey:

Steven is a man grounded in spirituality and faith, which has been a cornerstone of his character since his early years. After attending Wellington schools for kindergarten through 7^th grade, Komives transferred to St. Mary’s Elyria and it was during that impactful year that his parish priest at St. Patrick’s Wellington and the Sisters of Notre Dame encouraged him to attend Borromeo Seminary after completing 8^th grade. Komives had always been involved at his church having served as an altar boy and dedicated Saturday catechism class attendee, but after two years in the seminary he realized that religious life was not for him and he transferred to, the then, Elyria District Catholic High School.

Reflecting on his time as a seminarian, Steven shares, "My years studying to become a priest were formative for me. Although I ultimately realized it was not my path, it deepened my understanding of faith, compassion, and service."

Komives remains a passionately spiritual and faith-fill man today. He has a deep devotion to Mother Mary and visits the beautiful Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue often. He explained, “I enjoy walking the grounds, praying through the Stations of the Cross, praying the rosary, and attending mass in their Shrine Chapel or Outdoor Pieta Chapel. The grounds are a sacred space and special to me. I encourage everyone to visit sometime. It’s only an hour away and at the risk of letting the secret out I never visit Bellevue without stopping at Miller’s Drive In.”

Service to Country:

After graduating Elyria Catholic, Steven pursued an array of college courses before being drafted into the Navy during the Vietnam War Era. For his 6 years of enlistment he worked as an Electronics Communications Technician Petty Officer both at a Naval Air Station and aboard ships. Steven explains, "Serving in the Navy allowed me to continue embodying my values of discipline, duty, and teamwork. It was a pivotal experience that broadened my horizons and instilled a strong sense of patriotism within me, while providing the foundational understanding of electronics that would serve me throughout my professional career."

Career in Technology:

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Steven graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a M.S.C.S. His interest in technology led him to explore a new field: computer science. He began a successful 24-year career with AT&T/Lucent Technologies Bell Labs Innovations, as an electronics engineer and software computer scientist for the company. Throughout his extensive tenure, he actively contributed to a myriad of cellular telephone systems, helping to shape today’s digital landscape. 

Steven reflects on his career, stating, "Technology has revolutionized the way we live and connect with one another. Being part of this transformative era was both exhilarating and fulfilling. It resonated with my love for problem-solving and pushing boundaries."

When reminiscing about his time at Elyria Catholic, Steven fondly recalls his involvement as a manager for the school's football team. Supporting the players and coaching staff, he witnessed firsthand the transformative power of camaraderie, teamwork, and mentorship. Such experiences left an indelible mark on Steven, reinforcing the values he still holds dear today.

Steven's deep appreciation for his alma mater and his commitment to giving back have motivated him to contribute to Elyria Catholic High School directly from his IRA through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs). By doing so, he maximizes the impact of his charitable giving while avoiding taxes on distributions from his IRA.